Surfing [PA] [Digipak] (CD - 2008)

Additional personnel: Luckey Remington, Rodrigo Amarante, Mike Davis, J.J. Golden, Beau Fletcher, Lara Everly, Daniel Bensi, Binky Shapiro, Grandpa P. Darwish, Noah Georgeson, Thom Monahan, Gregory Rogove.

Megapuss is the freewheeling side project of Los Angeles-based neo-folkster Devendra Banhart, doom-and-gloom Priestbird drummer Greg Rogove (who provides vocal accompaniment), and the Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti. SURFING is an apt title, for these songs ride a wave that sweep through 1960s-inspired surf and pop, while shooting a post-folk, psycho-pop curl. The production gives way to a haunting echo effect that sounds as though the band is projecting its sound from the distant past. SURFING also pays homage to Frank Zappa with its multiple-personality, genre shifting, and village-idiot lyrical lingo. HUMAN GIANT star Aziz Ansari makes a special appearance with a monologue on "Duck People, Duck Man."

No record begs to be taken as a joke quite like one that features its two male protagonists fighting naked on the cover (one is raising a knife, the other is going all kung fu). And Megapuss, the not-quite-supergroup formed by Devendra Banhart and Priestbird drummer Gregory Rogove (with help from others including the Strokes' Fabrizio Moretti and Noah Georgeson), have all the flavor of a side project with no expectations -- and, usually, no structure or songwriting. But this is a supergroup record in the best sense, where all involved pool their talents to write and perform with no constraints and maximum creativity. Banhart sounds much more relaxed than on his last studio record, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, closer to his bewitching four-track days and often including the same sparse accompaniment and pixilated songwriting. Surprisingly, the songs with a full band provide the best moments here, including the breakout chorus of "Theme from Hollywood" and the loose-limbed funk jam "Crop Circle Jerk '94." As with most supergroup records, not everything works -- the politically critical "A Gun on His Hip and a Rose on His Chest" descends limply into claptrap, and "Duck People Duck Man" is most definitely absurd nonsense from an artist who often does nonsense very well. Surfing definitely won't end up on many end-of-year lists, but it's easygoing where Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon was often self-serious, and overall a pleasant diversion for Banhart fans. ~ John Bush minimize